Carolina Bays Parkway Extension sees alignment shift

Well last week after a public meeting, SCDOT decided to shift the highway and the interchange at its terminus at SC 707 1,500 hundred feet to the north. The change will spare numerous homes at The Meadows subdivision along with a few businesses. The move will actually trim $5 million in right-of-way purchases from the cost of the $235 million project.

In addition to the cost savings with the new routing, SCDOT is looking at changing the design of the Parkway's bridge over the Intracoastal Waterway and possibly having Enterprise Road cross over the highway than underneath it.

Despite the possible $20 million in savings, SCDOT is holding firm to the $235 million project cost estimate because of inflation and the rising costs of materials.

The 4.2 mile extension of the Carolina Bays Parkway, signed as SC 31, should see construction begin in 2010 and be open to traffic in 2013.

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